Day 10 - Honest Abe and Old Route 66

Springfield, IllinoisToday, I got a day out by myself and I went to Riverton (right outside Springfield) to see a friend, Lou Szokes, who happens to be the "Illinois Photographer Of The Year" for the 5th year running. I met him earlier this year when I took a seminar taught by him in Portland on Hollywood Style Lighting. It was great to see his studio and to discuss business with him and his wife Theresa. He gave me some valuable advice and it was great to visit with him again. You can check out his work at http://www.szokephoto.com/

On the way back to Brando's, I decided to visit some historical sites. This was a great time of day because everything was closed for the day and there were no tourists to mess up the photos... My first stop was the Camp Butler National Cemetery where 1642 Civil War soldiers are buried in addition to the veterans of all other wars since.

These are the headstones of the Civil War soldiers...

Next stop was the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum...

and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library...

Across the street is the Lincoln Union Station Park...

and just down the street is the Abraham Lincoln Home - National Historic Site...

This is a pretty famous photo op... (Check out the history books)

Finally, I visited the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln. It was closed for the day and I did not get to go inside... but it was pretty impressive from the outside.

Right across from President Lincoln's Tomb is this tomb for Governor John Tanner who served in the late 1800's... now this is a sweet tomb... I want one like this! (It kind of reminds me of something that Fred Flintstone would be buried in).

Tomorrow, Debbie and I are going to Sibley, Illinois for the day to do some family history research. In the evening, we are going fishing with the boys!